Animal Medicines Australia (AMA), the peak body representing the veterinary medicines and animal health sector, has welcomed the Australian Government’s focus on productivity through the Treasurer’s Economic Reform Roundtable.
AMA Executive Director Ben Stapley said the sector is ready to contribute to broader productivity improvements across agriculture and the wider economy.
“The animal health industry is a vital contributor to the productivity and competitiveness of Australia’s $37 billion livestock sector and to the health and wellbeing of 28 million pets nationwide,” he said.
Stapley highlighted the levers for productivity within the industry: ensuring regulatory settings support innovation, building local resilience, and fostering new technologies and scientific breakthroughs.
He said: “Smarter regulation and efficient systems will deliver real productivity improvements across agriculture and the animal health sector while protecting food safety, animal welfare, biosecurity and sustainability.”
AMA has urged the government to focus on three key priorities: aligning domestic regulatory assessments to reduce duplication with international counterparts in the US, EU, and UK; improving data protection and incentives for innovation; and addressing workforce challenges in the animal health sector.
“By addressing these priorities, we can ensure Australia has the expertise to apply innovation, harness technology, and unlock productivity growth for decades to come,” Stapley said.
The animal health sector plays a critical role in safeguarding food security, biosecurity, and animal welfare, while supporting sustainable production. With an efficient regulatory environment, a skilled workforce, and continued investment in innovation, the industry is well positioned to deliver long-term productivity gains that benefit all Australians.
AMA also welcomed the government’s detailed response to last year’s final report on the structure and governance of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), which drew on multiple reviews conducted between 2019 and 2023.
“The lessons are clear – industry has long identified where practical productivity improvements can be made,” Stapley said. “At the Reform Roundtable, we encourage the government to work with industry to reduce red tape, strengthen the workforce, and invest in innovation so the animal health sector can thrive.”
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